Vermont began recognizing Indigenous Peoples' Day in 2016. If the bill becomes law, the state would join New Mexico and South Dakota in recognizing Native Americans. A similar bill in Maine awaits its governor’s signature.

Columbus Day is celebrated on the second Monday of October. The movement to abolish the holiday stems from Columbus’ legacy of violence, enslavement and brutality of indigenous people, opponents argue.

"Things that are symbolic can carry very far," Rich Holschuh, of Brattleboro, a member of the Vermont Commission on Native American Affairs, told the Free Press. "The degree of disinformation and lack of understanding around the situation of native people in Vermont, as a microcosm of the national situation, is totally exemplified in the way that Columbus has been celebrated and the native people ignored."

The bill cruised through the Vermont state Senate but faced some opposition in the state House of Representatives. A Republican-led amendment to create a separate day in February to recognize indigenous people failed 42-95.